South Harmony Grange No. 525
South Harmony Grange No. 525
This grange was established August 4, 1887. It was originally named “Brazilla” and changed to South Harmony on December 27, 1887 with 35 members. A. P. Eddy was the first Master. A Juvenile Grange was organized in 1942.
From the Town of Harmony History, p. 254.
"This Grange had never owned its own hall but for many years had rented the I.O.O.F hall at Watts Flats. At a meeting of the voters of the Watts Flats school district held on March 29, 1952, the voters by a vote of 33 to 32 voted to close the District School and also to sell the brick school building and grounds to South Harmony Grange for the sum of $1.00 with the provision that the property should be operated as a Community Center. The Grange began to remodel the inside of the building to suit the needs of the Grange and on June 28, 1952 they moved into their new home. The first meeting was held on July 15, 1952 and the hall was dedicated on November 1, 1955."
Written by Mary A. Woodin
November 1, 1955
Note: This history was read by Mary A. Woodin, secretary, at the dedication of the new hall of South Harmony Grange No. 525 at Watts Flats, NY conducted by State Master.
From beginning August 4, 1887 to November 1, 1955, a group of people met in Watts Flats to form a Patron of Husbandry organization, better known as the Grange. The organizational meeting was called to order by District Deputy, W. C. Gifford. Thirty-five (35) persons paid their initiation fee and became charter members. At the time of our 50th anniversary there were four (4) living charter members who are now deceased. This Grange was known as Brazilla Grange No. 525. A. P. Eddy was elected first Master.
On December 27, 1897 the name of this grange was changed to South Harmony. The reason being that Watts Flats is located in the southern part of Harmony township, which one time included Harmony and North Harmony but has since been divided.
According to records in January 1908 this Grange had a membership of 170 and a balance in the treasury of $294.34. In 1925, Chautauqua County Pomona Grange sponsored a membership campaign offering a banner to the Grange gaining the most members for three (3) consecutive years. This Grange won the banner, which you will see hanging on the wall. This made the membership 386 or thereabouts. The membership now is 147. In 1910, several members from Niobe, NY took demit cards and organized a grange at Niobe. The following are living past Masters: Arthur Richardson, Hugh Rudgers, Fred James, Mary Woodin, Lulu Pickard, Paul Faulkner, Kyle Morse, Delmar Morse, Emily Morse, Elton Dean, Frank Willets, Hermon Crandall, Dick Hardinger, Elmer Frick, Doris Gesaman. Our grange made standard exhibits at the county fair quite frequently since the Grange exhibitions were started in 1925. 33 silver star certificates have been presented and including the presentations tonight 89 sheaf certificates have been presented to D. F. Eddy, Elizabeth Wilcox, Andrew Swanson, all deceased. Frankie Rudgers, John Sweeney, Hiram Barton, Lennie Lopus and George Fowler, Arthurs Richardson was county deputy and Mrs. Richardson has been county Pomona lecturer. And confidentially, our present Pomona lecturer Eva Blodgett Sweeney started her grange work in this grange for which we are very proud and I understand now will be our new state Ceres. According to records years ago, everyone was not received in the grange when they applied for membership the first time so it appears they were discriminating than we are now. Also, a good many spirited and valuable discussions took place in the lecturers hour. In 1888, this grange attended a Jamestown Fair and entered a horse drawn float in the parade. This grange has participated in fine degree work at one time having a ladies degree team for 1t and 2nd degree and a teenage group for 3rd and 4th. We not only did our own work but did work all over the county. We have also entertained Pomona Grange and participated in the Community Service Program. One year we held a public auction and gave the receipts of same to the local Methodist Church Building Fund. The church was rebuilt because of fire. Our first Juvenile Grange was organized in 1942 and has since been reorganized. After all the years of renting rooms to have our meetings in, it was a happy time when we were given the opportunity to purchase the schoolhouse as our grange home and to use as a community building. We have given the children’s organizations and other organizations free use of the building. At all times we have been able to meet our expenses and have our regular two meetings a month and it appears we have a bright future ahead.